Sergej Jakirović (foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
Former Maribor coach Sergej Jakirović's Kayserispor held Fenerbahçe to a draw, significantly impacting Turkey's title race and leaving Jose Mourinho's team trailing leaders Galatasaray.
Former Maribor manager Sergej Jakirović may have decisively impacted the race for the Turkish Süper Lig title after his side, Kayserispor, earned a crucial draw away to Fenerbahçe. The Istanbul giants are now five points behind leaders Galatasaray following their disappointing performance at home.
Jakirović, who previously coached clubs such as Sesvete, HNK Gorica, Zrinjski Mostar, Rijeka, and Dinamo Zagreb, quickly improved the form of his Turkish team. Taking over Kayserispor under challenging circumstances, he managed to guide them to just two league defeats in eleven matches.
With this solid run, Jakirović has almost certainly secured top-flight survival for Kayserispor. Although mathematical safety is not yet confirmed, relegation would now represent an enormous upset.
By taking vital points from Fenerbahçe, Jakirović and his players have indirectly influenced the title battle, frustrating Jose Mourinho, whose team now faces an uphill struggle to overtake their city rivals.
In the next round, Kayserispor hosts Rizespor, while Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe travel to face Gaziantep in five days.